India has roped in an agency supported by WTO to train its farmers of black pepper, cumin, fennel and coriander on food safety and hygiene, to tackle increasing rejection of its spice exports by US, European Union, Australia and Japan. Many exporters are unable to meet the requirements of the destination markets due to high-levels of aflatoxin, salmonella and pesticide residues in the shipments.

India on Tuesday secured the WTO's permission to establish a dispute settlement panel to rule on controversial unilateral duties imposed by the US on the imports of steel and aluminium under the controversial US Section 232 security provisions . The US blocked India's first request on 21 November but, under WTO rules, when a complainant makes a second request the panel is automatically established.

The United States urged European Union governments to reflect on whether it was really in their interest to go ahead with a trade dispute over US metals tariffs, and said it was hopeful of settling the issue with Mexico and Canada. "We would encourage the European countries to consider carefully their broader economic, political, and security interests," Shea told the meeting.